Summit on gun control held

CEBU, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) is preparing for the 2010 presidential elections by hosting the National Summit on Firearms Control at Camp Crame to ensure honest, orderly and peaceful polls.

The one-day summit, which was held the other day, was attended by representatives from the government, law enforcement agencies and civil society.

PNP Director Jesus A. Versoza said that the summit was among the proposals raised to draw up a strategic action plan against loose firearms, and other measures for gun control.

The gun control measures focused on preventing violence in the future elections.

Included in the discussion was the proposal to impose stiffer penalties on illegal possession of firearms, especially those involving high-powered guns.

Versoza said they are also proposing for another amnesty period for the registration of loose firearms before the year ends.

"But this will be the last and final chance we are giving to holders of loose firearms to legalize possessions of these guns,” Versoza stressed.

"After the final amnesty period, there will be intensified gun control operations nationwide and stiffer sanctions will be imposed to violators," the PNP director general added.

Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office (PRO-7) continues its campaign against illegal gun possession and warns those who are holding unlicensed firearms that they would be unanswerable to the law.

PRO-7 director Federico Terte ordered city and provincial police directors in Central Visayas to continue their operations against illegal gun possession.

Terte said illegal firearms are being used by criminals to perpetrate their illegal activities.

Part of PRO-7's anti-criminality program is to strengthen the campaign against illegal gun possession. – Niña G. Sumacot and PIA/LPM (THE FREEMAN)